Tragedy Strikes Dhruvatara Jetty: Biker Dies as Scooter Plunges into Creek, Pillion Rider Miraculously Rescued

A late Saturday night adventure turned into a devastating tragedy near the picturesque, yet dimly lit, Dhruvatara jetty in Uran, Navi Mumbai. What began as an exploratory ride for two friends culminated in a harrowing plunge into the murky waters of a creek, claiming one life and leaving another grappling with the trauma of survival.

The ill-fated incident unfolded around 10:45 pm when 25-year-old Harun Shaikh, a resident of Turbhe, Navi Mumbai, was navigating his Activa scooter with his friend, 30-year-old Mohammed Hanif, as a pillion.

The duo, reportedly unfamiliar with the treacherous terrain, had ventured towards the jetty area. This particular stretch, known for its poor lighting and a concerning absence of safety barriers, proved to be a perilous trap. In the darkness, potentially compounded by a misjudgment of the road or lack of local knowledge, their scooter tragically veered off course, plummeting violently into the creek below.

The immediate aftermath was one of chaos and a desperate struggle for survival against the cold, dark water.

While Harun Shaikh was tragically submerged, Mohammed Hanif, displaying incredible presence of mind and a surge of adrenaline, managed to cling onto a nearby boat. His frantic cries for help pierced the quiet night, drawing the attention of local fishermen, who are often the unsung heroes in such waterside emergencies.

Upon receiving the distressed call from Hanif, the Uran police swiftly mobilized, dispatching personnel to the scene.

The fire brigade was also immediately alerted, and a comprehensive rescue operation was launched in conjunction with the dedicated local fishermen and other community members. It was a race against time, under the challenging conditions of darkness, as rescuers frantically battled to locate Shaikh. After an intense search lasting approximately 20 minutes, the grim discovery was made: Harun Shaikh's body was tragically recovered from the creek by the tireless efforts of the fishermen and fire brigade personnel.

Mohammed Hanif, rescued from the clutches of the water, was immediately rushed for medical attention.

He was undoubtedly shaken but, thankfully, alive and undergoing treatment. The motorcycle, a silent witness to the night's horror, was later painstakingly retrieved from the depths of the creek. Uran police have since registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR), initiating a thorough investigation into the precise circumstances that led to this heart-wrenching incident.

This tragedy serves as a stark and sobering reminder of the critical need for improved safety infrastructure and adequate lighting in vulnerable areas, particularly at night, to prevent such avoidable losses of life and protect future visitors.